Six Grads fired at south Israel as Barak briefs reporters on unilateral truce in Strip; no injuries reported

Shmulik Hadad|Published: 18.01.09 , 00:43

Palestinian gunmen in Gaza fired six Grad rockets toward south Israel late Saturday night just as Defense Minister Ehud Barak was briefing reporters on Israel's decision to suspend
its offensive in the Hamas-controlled territory. No injuries or damage were reported.

At least 25 rockets were fired toward Israel since Saturday morning.

Prior to the cabinet's announcement on a unilateral ceasefire, two rockets were fired at Ashdod. One landed near a structure in the city, and medical teams treated a number of people for shock.

The second rocket landed damaged a few vehicles and apparently an electrical pole, as the entire area was plunged into darkness. A short while later a mortar shell landed in the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council area, causing no injuries or damage.

Earlier Saturday, two rockets exploded in open spaces in the Beersheba area – no injuries or damages were reported in the attack. The rockets were fired during the daily "humanitarian pause" declared by the IDF.

On Saturday afternoon, two rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip at Israeli communities. One Grad rocket landed in an open area in the Ashkelon area a short while after a siren was heard in the city. No injuries or damages were reported.

Meanwhile, a rocket also landed in the Kiryat Gat region. There too, no injuries or damages were reported. Other rockets landed in open areas across the south. Three mortar shells were also fired at the Negev.